Our Vision

"No one experiencing family violence shall be turned away from a shelter or be forced to return to a dangerous or abusive lifestyle."

Mission Statement:

"The Camrose Women's Shelter is a non-profit organization which exists to assist individuals and families experiencing the effects of family violence to work towards a lifestyle free of abuse.

We Support Women and Children in Crisis

Camrose Women's Shelter Society operates an emergency shelter providing a safe, supportive place for women and children who are escaping domestic violence, in a crisis situation or who may be homeless. An average of 400 women and children from Camrose and surrounding communities seek refuge at our shelter each year. After they leave, many continue to access the outreach programming offered through the shelter.

The shelter accommodates up to seven families and is wheelchair accessible. Beyond provision of basic needs (food, clothing, shelter,) we provide supportive counseling, referrals, safety planning, information on domestic violence and life skills groups. The shelter has an on-site K-9 school, a playschool program and childcare. Women and children are supported with their personal goals and connected with other community organizations as they transition away from the shelter towards safe housing and community supports.

Board of Directors

Lynn Horsman, Board Chair - Lynn Horsman has been on the Women's Shelter Board for 4 years and holds the Vice Chair position. She believes we are doing "good work" at the shelter and is very proud to be part of it. Lynn works full time for Recycle With Centra Cam. She enjoys her job knowing that her daily duties benefit the community. Lynn enjoys crafting, reading and travel and has two grandchildren who are a huge part of her life.

Heather Ryan, Vice Chair - Heather is a Realtor/Co-owner at Re/Max Camrose and has lived in Camrose for nearly 30 years. She has been a Board member for the Camrose Women's Shelter for seven years and is a mother of two active children.

Judilonne Beebe, Treasurer - Judilonne Beebe is a Social Worker who has spent 40 years working in the fields of Family Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse and currently serves as the Board Chairman of the Camrose Women's Shelter. She is currently the Executive Director of the Association of Communities Against Abuse in Stettler, Alberta and has been there since 1989. Judi sat on a National Family Violence Committee through the Public Health Agency of Canada for three years. In November of 2013, Judi was honored to receive an Inspiration Award for leadership in Family Violence Prevention, presented by the Honorable Sandra Jensen. Judi lives on a farm with her husband, has three children, four grandchildren and enjoys reading, gardening and the outdoors.

Karen Hogg, Secretary – TBD

Joan Boyd, Director - Joan has resided in Round Hill with her husband since 2001. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother who formerly worked as security and the First Aid and Safety officer in a fertilizer plant for 20 years. Along with her husband, Joan is a Square Dance Caller and Teacher, and enjoys most handicrafts, cooking and sewing.

Yvonne Erickson, Director - Yvonne Erickson has been on the Board of Directors on the CWS for six years, and is a Voting Delegate for Alberta Counsel of Women’s Shelters. For twenty-five years Yvonne worked with The City of Edmonton, as a Transit Operator. Yvonne and her husband volunteer at Busy Bee in Tofield and are active members of the Seniors Center, where they participate in floor curling, and they enjoy camping at CSC on Hastings Lake, where they have been members for twenty-four years. Yvonne is a mother and grandmother of two with stepchildren, and six step grandchildren.

Jean Knudtson, Director - Jean has been a Director on several Boards over the years. Jean brings her experience as a former municipal Councilor for 1 term, to the Camrose Women's Shelter where she has sat as a Director for 3 years, and currently also serves on the Parkland Regional Library Board.

Don Lyon, Director - Don has over 26 years in the banking industry and is currently a Director of Business Development for ATB Financial. As a single father of three teenage children Don sees Camrose is an incredible place to raise a family and feels very fortunate to live here. He firmly believes everyone must give back to the community; this is evident in his involvement as a minor hockey referee, soccer coach and soccer referee over the past 16 years. Don's current volunteer commitment is sitting as Board member of the Camrose Women's Shelter for the past three years. He is passionate about the cause to reduce Domestic Violence in Camrose and thanks the other members of the Board for their dedication and support for such a worthwhile cause.

Hilda Tomaszewski, Director – Hilda is a retired RPN and currently lives in Camrose. Hilda served as the Camrose Women's Shelter Board Secretary for 3 years and also currently holds positions on two other community Boards. For fun she teaches scrapbooking, card making and also enjoys reading, dancing and floor curling. Hilda is currently learning how to lay bricks and mud drywall, and was fortunate to skydive in order to raise funds for the Camrose Schizophrenia Society.

Jenny Wallace, Director - Jenny joined the Board of Directors in 2017, and is pleased to be a part of a non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce family violence. Jenny has worked in municipal government over the past 33 years, and is currently working with the City of Camrose. Over the years she has worked and served on various boards and committees and brings this experience to the Board.She is a grandmother to three grandchildren and loves spending time with them whenever she gets the chance.

Nora-Lee Rear, Executive Director - Nora-Lee has worked in the Family Violence Sector for 15 years, joining the Camrose Women's Shelter team in 2014. She has worked on many provincial projects, including the Taking Action on Bullying Pilot Project in 2007 and the World Indigenous Women's Wellness Conference in 2008, mainly in urban and First Nations communities.After living in Calgary, Nora-Lee and her partner are enjoying a quieter life outside of Camrose and enjoy gardening, camping and spending time with friends and family.

We Support Women and Children in Crisis

Our Vision:"No one experiencing family violence shall be turned away from a shelter or be forced to return to a dangerous or abusive lifestyle."

Mission Statement: "The Camrose Women's Shelter is a non-profit organization which exists to assist individuals and families experiencing the effects of family violence to work towards a lifestyle free of abuse."

If you know of someone who is being abused, encourage them to contact the Camrose Women's Shelter for support and assistance by calling:

The Camrose Women's Shelter would like to recognize the support of the Canadian Women's Foundationvia their Annual Campaign to End Violence Against Women, along with their Campaign partners Winners and HomeSense.